Article from Kelowna Courier Nov. 3, 1949 entitled "Pass Honors Well-Known Pathfinder, Miner and Rancher, J.F. Allison"

A name that stands high on the list of men who wrote the glowing pages of B.C. history--Allison--will soon be more widely-known than its owner ever dreamed.

For the pass through which B.C.'s great Hope-Princeton Highway crosses the Cascade mountains, and at which the opening ceremony took place yesterday is named for John Fall Allison, its discoverer. Mr. Allison was a pioneer pathfinder, rancher, miner and business man who contributed much to the development of British Columbia.

He was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, and as a boy moved with his parents to Illinois. After spending about 10 years in that state he crossed the plains to California, following the discovery of gold in that state 100 years ago. When the Fraser River gold stampede started in 1858 young Allison came to the new colony of British Columbia.

In the following year Governor James Douglas advised him to look for gold and also for a new and shorter route between Fort Hope and the Similkameen country. Gold had been reported from that section of the colony.

Allison Trail

Allison accepted the advice.

He found a diversion from previous trails into the Similkameen country. His route became known as the "Allison Trail", and the pass by which he traveled "Allison Pass".

He found some gold. But of much greater importance, he found a country that offered magnificent opportunities.

Allison was much taken by the range lands and agricultural possibilities in the region of the Similkameen Forks or as it was known then, "Red Earth" or "Vermillion Forks". It is Princeton now.

Indians came from as far East as the Kootenay to trade the red ochre--source of the early name--for painting their faces and marking their pictographs.

Cattle Ranches

In partnership with an American named Hayes, Allison started a cattle ranch, stocking it with Durhams. He prospered until in time he became known as one of the foremost cattle raisers in British Columbia.

In 1867 he married Susan Louisa Moir at Hope. Her sister wed Edgar Dewdney, later lieutenant-governor of the province.

The young couple crossed over the Allison Trails to make their home in a log house near the Forks. Fourteen children were born to the marriage, and the name of "Allison" is honored today throughout B.C.

Notes:
In about 1862 John took an Indian wife. Very little is known about her, but her family name was Yakumtekum and her first name was Nora. They had three children, Lily Norman (1863-1943), Charles "Charlie" or "Enoch" (1867 - 1913) and Albert "Bertie" (1875-1933). Albert and Charles are buried in a small native cemetery on a hilltop beside St. Ann's Church in Hedley, BC. with many of their descendants and spouses. This is often referred to as the "Mission Cemetery" in death certificates. The church and cemetery are located on tribal lands.

Children from his marriage to Susan not linked below whose burials are unknown are: Robert Wilford (1871-1926); Beatrice Jane Bruce-Mitford (1872-1956); John "Jack" Stratton (1878-1908); Elfreda Flora Holmes (1881-1961). Beatrice and Elfreda emigrated to England with their spouses and supposedly died there. Robert and John both died in BC but their burials remain unknown.